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Overview
Massage therapy is a broad term refer-ring to a number of health-related practices, including Swedish massage, sports massage, Rolfing, Shiatsu and acupressure, trigger point therapy, and reflexology. Although the techniques vary, most massage therapists (or mas-sotherapists) press and rub the skin and muscles. Relaxed muscles, improved blood circulation and joint mobil-ity, reduced stress and anxiety, and decreased recovery time from sprains and injured muscles are just a few of the potential benefits of massage ther-apy. Massage therapists are sometimes called bodyworkers. The titles masseur and masseuse, once common, are now rare among those who use massage for therapy and rehabilitation. There are approximately 118,000 massage thera-pists employed in the United States.
HistOry
Getting a massage used to be consid-ered a luxury reserved only for the very wealthy, or an occasional splurge for the less affluent. Some people thought massage to be a cover for illicit activities such as prostitution.
With increased regulation of certifica-tion and a trend toward ergonomics in the home and workplace, however, massage therapy is recognized as an important tool in both alterna-tive and preventaalterna-tive health care. Regular massage can help allevi-ate physical ailments faced by people today: physical stress brought on by an increase in sedentary lifestyle, aches and pains from hours spent in front of the computer, as well as injuries of the weekend warrior trying to make up for five days of inactivity.
quick facts
school subjects Health
Physical education Personal skills
Helping/teaching
Mechanical/manipulative work environment
Primarily indoors Primarily one location Minimum education Level
Some postsecondary training salary range
$13,624 to $34,870 to
$70,840+
Certification or Licensing Recommended (certification) Required by certain states
(licensing) Outlook
Faster than the average DOt334
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31-9011.00
tHe JOb
Massage therapists work to produce physical, mental, and emotional benefits through the manipulation of the body’s soft tissue. Auxil-iary methods, such as the movement of joints and the application of dry and steam heat, are also used. Among the potential physical ben-efits are the release of muscle tension and stiffness, reduced blood pressure, better blood circulation, a shorter healing time for sprains and pulled muscles, increased flexibility and greater range of motion in the joints, and reduced swelling from edema (excess fluid buildup in body tissue). Massage may also improve posture, strengthen the immune system, and reduce the formation of scar tissue.
Mental and emotional benefits include a relaxed state of mind, reduced stress and anxiety, clearer thinking, and a general sense of well-being. Physical, mental, and emotional health are all inter-connected: Being physically fit and healthy can improve emotional health, just as a positive mental attitude can bolster the immune sys-tem to help the body fight off infection. A release of muscle tension also leads to reduced stress and anxiety, and physical manipulation of sore muscles can help speed the healing process.
There are many different approaches a massage therapist may take. Among the most popular are Swedish massage, sports massage, Rolfing, Shiatsu and acupressure, and trigger point therapy.
In Swedish massage the traditional techniques are effleurage, petrissage, friction, and tapotement. Effleurage (stroking) uses light and hard rhythmic strokes to relax muscles and improve blood cir-culation. It is often performed at the beginning and end of a massage session. Petrissage (kneading) is the rhythmic squeezing, pressing, and lifting of a muscle. For friction, the fingers, thumb, or palm or heel of the hand are pressed into the skin with a small circular movement.
The massage therapist’s fingers are sometimes pressed deeply into a joint. Tapotement (tapping), in which the hands strike the skin in rapid succession, is used to improve blood circulation.
During the session the client, covered with sheets, lies undressed on a padded table. Oil or lotion is used to smooth the skin. Some massage therapists use aromatherapy, adding fragrant essences to the oil to relax the client and stimulate circulation. Swedish massage may employ a number of auxiliary techniques, including the use of rollers, belts, and vibrators; steam and dry heat; ultraviolet and infrared light;
and saunas, whirlpools, steam baths, and packs of hot water or ice.
Sports massage is essentially Swedish massage used in the context of athletics. A light massage generally is given before an event or game to loosen and warm the muscles. This reduces the chance of injury
Careers in Focus: Complementary and Alternative Health Care and may improve performance. After the event the athlete is massaged more deeply to alleviate pain, reduce stiffness, and promote healing.
Rolfing, developed by American Ida Rolf, involves deep, some-times painful massage. Intense pressure is applied to various parts of the body. Rolfing practitioners believe that emotional disturbances, physical pain, and other problems can occur when the body is out of alignment—for example, as a result of poor posture. This method takes 10 sessions to complete.
Like the ancient Oriental science of acupuncture, Shiatsu and acu-pressure are based on the concept of meridians, or invisible channels of flowing energy in the body. The massage therapist presses down on particular points along these channels to release blocked energy and untie knots of muscle tension. For this approach the patient wears loosely fitted clothes, lies on the floor or on a futon, and is not given oil or lotion for the skin.
Trigger point therapy, a neuromuscular technique, focuses in on a painful area, or trigger point, in a muscle. A trigger point might be associated with a problem in another part of the body. Using the fingers or an instrument, such as a rounded piece of wood, concen-trated pressure is placed on the irritated area in order to “deactivate”
the trigger point.
All of these methods of massage can be altered and intermingled depending on the client’s needs. Massage therapists can be proficient in one or many of the methods, and usually tailor a session to the individual.
requireMeNts
High School
Since massage therapists need to know more than just technical skills, many practitioners use the basic knowledge learned in high school as a foundation to build a solid career in the field. Dur-ing your high school years, you should take fundamental science courses, such as chemistry, anatomy, and biology. These classes will give you a basic understanding of the human body and prepare you for the health and anatomy classes you will take while complet-ing your postsecondary education. English, psychology, and other classes relating to communications and human development will also be useful as the successful massage therapist is able to express his or her ideas with clients as well as understand the clients’ reac-tions to the therapy. If you think you might wish to run your own massage therapy business someday, computer and business courses are essential. Finally, do not neglect your own physical well-being.
Take physical education and health courses to strengthen your body and your understanding of your own conditioning.
Postsecondary Training
The best way to become a successful massage therapist is to attend an accredited massage therapy school after you have finished high school. There are more than 300 state-accredited massage schools located throughout the United States. More than 85 of these schools are accredited or approved by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), a major accrediting agency for massage therapy programs and an affiliate of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). COMTA-accredited and -approved schools must provide at least 500 hours of classroom instruction. (The aver-age massaver-age therapist has 688 hours of initial training, according to the AMTA.) Studies should include such courses as anatomy, physi-ology, theory and practice of massage therapy, and ethics. In addi-tion, students should receive supervised hands-on experience. Most programs offer students the opportunity to participate at clinics, such as those providing massage services at hospices, hospitals, and shelters, or at school clinics that are open to the general public.
Massage therapy training programs typically take about a year to complete. Students can specialize in particular disciplines, such as infant massage or rehabilitative massage. Basic first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must also be learned. When choos-ing a school, you should pay close attention to the philosophy and curricula of the program, since a wide range of program options exists. Also, keep in mind that licensure requirements for massage therapists vary by state. For example, some state medical boards require students to have completed more than 500 hours of instruc-tion before they can be recognized as massage therapists. Part of your process for choosing a school, therefore, should include making sure that the school’s curriculum will allow you to meet your state’s requirements.
Certification or Licensing
Currently, 38 states and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of massage therapy, requiring licensure, certification, or registration.
Because requirements for licensing, certification, registration, and even local ordinances vary, however, you will need to check with your state’s department of regulatory agencies to get specifics for your area.
Typically, requirements include completing an accredited program and passing a written test and a demonstration of massage therapy techniques.
Careers in Focus: Complementary and Alternative Health Care The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offers two national certification examinations for mas-sage therapists: the National Certification Examination for Ther-apeutic Massage and Bodywork and the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage. To learn more about each exam, visit http://www.ncbtmb.com. Certification is highly recom-mended, since it demonstrates a therapist’s high-level of education and achievement. Certification may also make a therapist a more desirable candidate for job openings.
Other Requirements
Physical requirements of massage therapists generally include the ability to use their hands and other tools to rub or press on the client’s body. Manual dexterity is usually required to administer the treatments, as is the ability to stand for at least an hour at a time.
Special modifications or accommodations can often be made for people with different abilities.
If you are interested in becoming a massage therapist, you should be, above all, nurturing and caring. Constance Bickford, a certified massage therapist in Chicago, thinks that it is necessary to be both flexible and creative: easily adaptable to the needs of the client, as well as able to use different techniques to help the client feel better.
Listening well and responding to the client is vital, as is focusing all attention on the task at hand. Massage therapists need to tune in to their client rather than zone out, thinking about the grocery list or what to cook for supper. An effective massage is a mindful one, where massage therapist and client work together toward improved health.
To be a successful massage therapist, you should also be trustwor-thy and sensitive. Someone receiving a massage may feel awkward lying naked in an office covered by a sheet, listening to music while a stranger kneads his or her muscles. A good massage therapist will make the client feel comfortable in what could potentially be per-ceived as a vulnerable situation.
Therapists considering opening up their own business should be prepared for busy and slow times. In order to both serve their clients well and stay in business, they should be adequately staffed during rush seasons, and must be financially able to withstand dry spells.
exPLOriNG
The best way to become familiar with massage therapy is to get a massage. Look for a certified therapist in your area and make an appointment for a session. If you can afford it, consider going to
several different therapists who offer different types of massage.
Also, ask if you can set up an information interview with one of the therapists. Explain that you are interested in pursuing this career and come to the interview prepared to ask questions. What is this massage therapist’s educational background? Why was he or she drawn to the job? What is the best part of this work? By talking to a massage therapist, you may also have the chance to develop a mentoring relationship with him or her.
A less costly approach is to find a book on massage instruction at a local public library or bookstore. Massage techniques can then be practiced at home. Books on self-massage are available. Many books discuss in detail the theoretical basis for the techniques. Videos that demonstrate massage techniques are available as well.
Consider volunteering at a hospice, nursing home, or shelter.
This work will give you experience in caring for others and help you develop good listening skills. It is important for massage therapists to listen well and respond appropriately to their clients’ needs. The massage therapist must make clients feel comfortable, and volunteer work can help foster the skills necessary to achieve this.
eMPLOyers
Approximately 118,000 massage therapists are employed in the United States. After graduating from an accredited school of massage therapy, there are a number of possibilities for employment. Doctors’ offices, A certified massage therapist gives a chair massage to a client. (AP Photo)
Careers in Focus: Complementary and Alternative Health Care hospitals, clinics, health clubs, resorts, country clubs, cruise ships, community service organizations, and nursing homes, for example, all employ massage therapists. Some chiropractors have a massage thera-pist on staff to whom they can refer patients. A number of massage therapists run their own businesses. Most opportunities for work will be in larger, urban areas with population growth, although massage therapy is slowly spreading to more rural areas as well.
startiNG Out
There are a number of resources you can use to locate a job in massage therapy. The AMTA offers job placement information to certified massage therapists who belong to the organization. Mas-sage therapy schools have career services offices. Newspapers often list jobs. Some graduates are able to enter the field as self-employed massage therapists, scheduling their own appointments and manag-ing their own offices.
Networking is a valuable tool in maintaining a successful mas-sage therapy enterprise. Many masmas-sage therapists get clients through referrals and often rely on word of mouth to build a solid customer base. Beginning massage therapists might wish to consult businesses about arranging on-site massage sessions for their employees.
Health fairs are also good places to distribute information about massage therapy practices and learn about other services in the industry. Often, organizers of large sporting events will employ mas-sage therapists to give masmas-sages to athletes at the finish line. These events may include marathons and runs or bike rides held to raise money for charitable organizations.
aDvaNCeMeNt
For self-employed massage therapists, advancement is measured by reputation, the ability to attract clients, and the fees charged for services. Health clubs, country clubs, and other institutions have supervisory positions for massage therapists. In a community service organization, massage therapists may be promoted to the position of health service director. Licensed massage therapists often become instructors or advisers at schools for massage therapy. They may also make themselves available to advise individuals or companies on the short- and long-term benefits of massage therapy, and how massage therapy can be introduced into professional work environments.
earNiNGs
The earnings of massage therapists vary greatly with the level of experience and location of practice. Therapists in New York and
California, for example, typically charge higher rates than those in other parts of the country. Some entry-level massage therapists earn as little as minimum wage (ending up with a yearly income of around
$13,624), but with experience, a massage therapist can charge from
$45 to $70 for a one-hour session.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that massage therapists earned a median salary of $34,870 a year in 2007. The lowest 10 percent earned $16,000 or less, while the highest 10 percent earned
$70,840 or more. The American Massage Therapy Association reports that massage therapists charge an average of $60 for a one-hour massage. Those with earnings at the high end typically worked in higher paying geographic areas (such as large cities), had years of experience, and had built up a large clientele.
Approximately 64 percent of all massage therapists are self-employed, and self-employed therapists are not paid for the time spent on bookkeeping, maintaining their offices, waiting for cus-tomers to arrive, and looking for new clients. In addition, they must pay a self-employment tax and provide their own benefits.
With membership in some national organizations, self-employed massage therapists may be eligible for group life, health, liabil-ity, and renter’s insurance through the organization’s insurance agency.
Massage therapists employed by a health club usually get free or discounted memberships to the club. Those who work for resorts or on cruise ships can get free or discounted travel and accommoda-tions, in addition to full access to facilities when not on duty. Massage therapists employed by a sports team often get to attend the team’s sporting events.
wOrk eNvirONMeNt
Massage therapists work in clean, comfortable settings. Because a relaxed environment is essential, the massage room may be dim, and soft music, scents, and oils are often used. Since massage therapists may see a number of people per day, it is important to maintain a hygienic working area. This involves changing sheets on the massage table after each client, cleaning and sterilizing any implements used, and washing hands frequently.
Massage therapists employed by businesses may use a portable massage chair—that is, a padded chair that leaves the client in a forward-leaning position ideal for massage of the back and neck.
Some massage therapists work out of their homes or travel to the homes of their clients.
The workweek of a massage therapist is typically 35 to 40 hours, which may include evenings and weekends. On average, 19 hours per
Careers in Focus: Complementary and Alternative Health Care week are spent with clients, and the other hours are spent making appointments and taking care of other business-related details.
Since the physical work is sometimes demanding, massage thera-pists need to take measures to prevent repetitive stress disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Also, for their own personal safety, massage therapists who work out of their homes or have odd office hours need to be particularly careful about scheduling appointments with unknown clients.
OutLOOk
The industry predicts a strong employment outlook for massage therapists through the next several years. The growing acceptance of massage therapy as an important health care discipline has led to the creation of additional jobs for massage therapists in many sec-tors. Opportunities should be strongest for women, as clients—both male and female—report that they are more comfortable receiving a massage from a female therapist. Approximately 84 percent of mas-sage therapists are women.
One certified massage therapist points to sports massage as one of the fastest growing specialties in the field. The increasing popularity of professional sports has given massage therapists new opportunities to work as key members of a team’s staff. Their growing presence in sports has made massage therapy more visible to the public, spreading the awareness of the physical benefits of massage.
Massages aren’t just for athletes. According to a survey by the American Massage Therapy Association, 24 percent of Americans surveyed in June 2007 had a massage in the past 12 months. The survey found that people are getting massages not just for medical reasons, but to relax and reduce stress.
There is a growing opportunity for massage therapists in the cor-porate world. Many employers eager to hold on to good employees offer perks, such as workplace massages. As a result, many massage therapists are working as mobile business consultants.
FOr MOre iNFOrMatiON
For information on careers and education programs, contact American Massage Therapy Association
500 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201-4695 Tel: 877-905-2700
Email: info@amtamassage.org http://www.amtamassage.org